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T O P I C R E V I E W

Robert Pearlman

Hail Columbia: Behind the Scenes with the Space Shuttle

Liz Warren (cS: lewarren) has announced she is writing a book about "the space shuttle Columbia from the perspective of the people who worked with her on a day-to-day basis."

As the Space Shuttle Program comes to an end, there will be many books available about the history, the technical achievements, the triumph and the tragedies. The story I will tell will be different because it is the story of the people who knew Columbia.

To the people who knew Columbia, she was more than just a spacecraft. Columbia's first Pilot, Robert Crippen, described her after she was lost on February 1st, 2003; "Columbia was a fine ship. She was named after Robert Gray's exploration ship, which sailed out of Boston Harbor in the 18th century. Columbia and the other orbiters were all named after great explorer ships, because that is their mission, to explore the unknown. Columbia was hardly a thing of beauty, except to those of us who loved and cared for her. She was often bad mouthed for being a little heavy in the rear end. But many of us can relate to that. Many said she was old and past her prime. Still, she had only lived barely a quarter of her design life; in years, she was only 22. Columbia had a great many missions ahead of her. She, along with the crew, had her life snuffed out in her prime."

Liz is using Kickstarter.com to help cover her expenses researching and writing "Hail Columbia." I was happy to become a backer of this project and I encourage others who can, do so.

Depending on the level you pledge, you will receive a Hail Columbia awareness ribbon, an electronic copy of the book, mention in the book's acknowledgments, a signed, limited edition print of Columbia, and/or a signed copy of the book itself.

ea757grrl

What a wonderful tribute this book will be to a great ship, and to the people who knew her best. I really look forward to it.

garymilgrom

Seems very worthwhile. Let's get behind this!

blue_eyes

I cannot wait to see Liz's final creation-- what a magnificent project to be dedicated to! We are so fortunate that she is sharing her knowledge, experience, and her heart with us.

Hail Columbia.

lewarren

Robert and other cS'ers, thank you for the endorsement and pledge. I can't wait to share the final product with collectSPACE!

MCroft04

I believe I've run into Liz several times when I lived in Houston while attending NASA events. In my opinion, she is most qualified to write a great account and am looking forward to reading her book.

lewarren

Thanks to everyone for their supportive comments!

We are halfway there with funding and 22 days left to raise the remaining funds.

As a teaser, I have to tell you about a preliminary interview I conducted a few weeks ago with one of the Closeout Crewmembers (the folks in the White Room who strap the astronauts into the orbiter). This gentlemen told me a story that he had never told anyone in his 35 years at Kennedy Space Center. The story brought tears to my eyes.

His story is definitely going to be in the book.

Mike Z

This will be the "Books of Books" for everyone interested in manned spaceflight especially the space shuttle! I cannot wait until it's released! Thank you for writing it!!

bruce

I hope Liz can get her book fully funded within the approaching 3 week deadline, as I would love to read it!

dguiteras

Liz- Your book sounds like it will provide the rest of us with a peek into a little known but very intriguing world.

As a writer I am wondering why you chose to use kickstart instead of going to a non-fiction publisher with a proposal for your book?

The book's concept paired with your background, experience and education seems like a no-brainer for a publisher.

lewarren

quote:Originally posted by dguiteras:As a writer I am wondering why you chose to use kickstart instead of going to a non-fiction publisher with a proposal for your book?

I will be seeking a non-fiction publisher. I am using kickstarter to raise funding primarily for travel to interview people for the book and also for a transcription service. I will be putting a lot of my own funds into the project, as well.

space4u

Sounds like a great project. I just entered my contribution today. Was great to meet you at NASA JSC tweetup last May Liz.

Robert Pearlman

Congratulations to Liz on reaching her pledge goal more than two weeks before her deadline! "Hail Columbia" has its liftoff!

Fezman92

Congrats!

GoesTo11

Congratulations...great to hear. Looking forward to the finished product!

ea757grrl

All right!

MCroft04

Looking forward to this book. I'm ready to bring out the plastic to purchase my copy. Don't let me down Liz! And how about an autographed copy?